Handover cleaning after construction and renovation

Why handover calls for its own clean

At the end of a building project, every day counts. The last tradespeople have just left, the remaining snags are being dealt with and the handover date is fixed. That's exactly when building dust, stickers, paint splashes and traces of sealant are still in the building. An ordinary clean won't get you there. Building dust is so fine that it keeps settling from pipes, frames and ceilings if it's only removed once.

Good handover cleaning achieves more than a tidy first impression. Finishing defects only really show on a clean surface, so the inspection is about the work and not about the dust. After that, the buyer, tenant or user can get started straight away.

Shinesta takes over this final step from contractors, housing associations and property managers. That way your own people don't have to get to work with a vacuum cleaner and scraper after the finishing work, and you have one party responsible for the end result.

From coarse to fine

Construction cleaning happens in steps. How many steps your project needs depends on its size and the schedule on site.

• During the build. We remove coarse dust and dirt, so the next tradespeople can start on a clean surface.
• After the finishing work. Stickers, film and protective layers come off. We remove paint splashes and traces of sealant and glue, and take most of the building dust off walls, pipes and frames.
• Just before handover. In the final clean, we wipe down all surfaces once more. We wash the glass, wet-clean the floors and make kitchens and washrooms ready for use.
• After the inspection. Does repair work after the inspection create more dust? Then we agree to come back for a last round.

The right approach for every surface

New materials are vulnerable. The same tool or product doesn't work on glass, lacquered wood, aluminium and natural stone. That's why we first check which materials have been used and choose a suitable approach for each surface. We discuss cement film or glue residue that doesn't come off easily with you in advance.

What we go through in the final clean

• Frames and glass. Stickers and film come off, and we clean the tracks, corners and bottom edge of the glass, where building dust collects first.
• Kitchens and washrooms. We remove building dust from cupboards and drawers and make tiles, taps, toilets and shower screens ready for use.
• Floors and skirting boards. We remove protective layers last. After that, we make the floor dust-free and wet-clean it.
• Fittings. We wipe down switches, sockets, radiators and ventilation grilles, because that's exactly where fine dust stays behind.

Tailored to the construction schedule

Handover cleaning only works at the right moment. If there's still drilling or sanding going on, the dust is back in no time. That's why we agree in advance with your site manager or project manager when the other tradespeople will be finished, which rooms are free and where we can use water and power. If the schedule shifts, we'd like to hear about it in good time, so we can move with it.

A building site has its own rules. We report to the site manager, follow the safety agreements on location and use the protective equipment that goes with them.

New build, renovation or conversion

In a new build, the building is often empty and we can work through it room by room. In a renovation or conversion, part of the building is sometimes still in use. We then screen off what needs to stay clean and agree which rooms are free and when, so that residents or staff notice as little of it as possible.

What determines the price?

The price depends on the floor area, the type of rooms, the amount of building dust, glass and stickers and the number of steps needed. Accessibility and working height also count. A floor plan or a visit to the project helps us make a clear quote. It shows what we do at each step, so you can include it properly in your project budget.

Stairwells and shared areas

In an apartment complex, stairwells, access galleries, halls and storage rooms are also part of the handover. We include them, so the first impression of the building is right too. Looking for regular stairwell cleaning afterwards? Read more about cleaning for owners' associations.

VCA on the building site

Many contractors ask for VCA for anyone working on site. Shinesta works with VCA and Keurmerk Schoon. VCA shows that safety, health and the environment are arranged in the way we work. Keurmerk Schoon covers matters such as correct administration, the proper application of the collective labour agreement for cleaning and suitable insurance, and is independently audited at least once a year. That limits your risk of chain liability, a subject you'll know well from the construction industry.

After the handover

If a permanent user moves into the building, daily cleaning can follow straight on. We tackle any stubborn dirt that's left with deep cleaning, and window cleaning keeps the windows clear. For a smaller job in an existing rental home, residential cleaning is a better fit.